My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Jim Thome’s ninth-inning home run gives the Phils a walk-off win as they defeat the Rays, 7-6.

A ninth-inning lead-off home run by pinch hitter Jim Thome gives the Phils a walk-off victory as they defeat the Rays, 7-6.

The Rays took the lead in the second as, with two men on, and with 0ne man out, Jeff Keppinger hits a two-run double, knocking in Ben Zobrist, who had earlier singled, then moved up to second base on Jose Lobaton’s walk, and Lobaton, who had just walked, giving the Rays a 2-0 lead, before moving up to third base on second baseman Michael Martinez’s throwing error. The Rays then took a 3-0 lead as, two batters later, Keppinger scored on James Shield’s ground out, 6-3, while Elliot Johnson, who has just walked, moved up to second base. The Phils got two runs back in the third as, with a man on first, and with nobody out, Jimmy Rollins hits a two-run home run, his sixth home run of the year, knocking in Kyle Kendrick, who had started the inning off with a walk, making it a 3-2 Rays’ lead. The Phils then took the lead in the fourth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Juan Pierre hits a three-run home run, his first home run of the season, knocking in pinch hitter Mike Fontenot, who had earlier singled, then moved up to third base on Rollins’ single, and Rollins, who had just singled, then moved up to second base on the throw to third base. giving the Phils a 5-3 lead. The Phils added to their lead in the seventh as, with a man on second, and with one man out. Carlos Ruiz hits an RBI single, knocking in Pierre, who had earlier reached base on second baseman Zobrist’s throwing error, moving up to second base, then stole third base, giving the Phils a 6-3 lead. The Rays would get a run back in the eighth as, with the bases loaded on singles by Zobrist, Lobaton and Keppinger, and with one man out, Sean Rodriguez hits an RBI single, scoring Zobrist, making it a 6-4 Phils’ lead, while sending Lobaton up to third base and Keppinger to second base, leaving the bases loaded. The Rays then made it a 6-5 Phils’ lead in the ninth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Keppinger hits an RBI single, knocking in Hideki Matsui, who had earlier singled, then moved up to second base on Zobrist’s ground out, 1-3, while sending pinch runner Chris Archer, who was pinch running for Lobaton, who had earlier walked, on to third base. The Rays then tied the game up at six-all as Brooks Conrad hits an RBI single, knocking in Archer, while sending Keppinger up to third base. The Phils won the game in their half of the ninth as pinch hitter Jim Thome hits a lead-off home run, his fifth home run of the year, giving the Phils a 7-6 walk-off win.

Kyle Kendrick received a no-decision as he pitched four innings, giving up three runs, only two of which were earned, on six hits and three walks, while striking out six. Raul Valdes pitched two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, while striking out four. Chad Qualls collected his twelfth hold of the season as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men whom he would face. Antonio Bastardo received his fourteenth hold of the year as he pitched an inning and a third, giving up a run on four hits, while striking out two. Jonathan Papelbon blew his first save opportunity of the season before getting the win (2-2, 2.83) as he pitched an inning, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk, while he struck out two. James Shields also received a no-decision as he went five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out seven. J.P. Howell pitched a scoreless inning. Brandon Gomes pitched an inning, giving up an unearned run on a hit. Jake McGee took the lost (2-2, 1.88) as he pitched an inning, plus one batter, giving up a run on a hit.

The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Jimmy Rollins (Single, Home Runs, 2 RBIs), Juan Pierre (Single, Home Run, 3 RBIs) and Carlos Ruiz (Singles, RBI) all leading the team with two hits each. Ty Wigginton (Single), pinch hitter Mike Fontenot (Single) and pinch hitter Jim Thome (Home Run, RBI) had the other three Phils’ hits. The Phils also had a walk and two stolen bases (Pierre (15 & 16)) in the game.

The Phils (34-38, 4th NL East) will continue their interleague game series with the Rays (38-32, 3rd AL East) with a day/night doubleheader, with the first game presently in progress.

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